North Dakota Ranks #4 on Forbes Best States for Business and Careers List

Post Date:Oct 26 2015

By ND Commerce

North Dakota ranks first is a number of areas in the Forbes Best States for Business and Careers list, including:

1st - Job Growth (4.7% annually, twice as high as any other state)

1st - Income Growth (3.6%)

1st - Gross State Product Growth (8.6%)

1st - Unemployment (3.2% average)

1st - Net Migration (1.4%)

“Our business friendly environment and efforts to diversify the economy are continuing to keep North Dakota growing strong,” Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson said. “This is a place that has great opportunity for business and career alike.”

North Dakota ranks 4th overall in the list. The state ranked 3rd in economic climate and had the most robust economy in the nation in the past five-years.

The Forbes ranking factored in 40 data points across six main areas: business costs (weighted most heavily), labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. Forbes added several new criteria this year, including the number of millennials as a percent of the population.

“It is an opportunity to showcase the types of resources and opportunities we can offer," Anderson said. “Rankings of this nature draw attention from companies that may be considering doing business in North Dakota."

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services.